How to Operate the Yanmar Box Blade

The Yanmar box blade is one of the most versatile attachments you can get for your tractor. Box blades have scarifiers to break up soil along with a front and rear blade for tasks such as grading landscapes, cleaning up construction sites, or smoothing gravel roads. Whether you already own one or want to add one to your lineup, these are the best practices you should know for operation.

How to Operate the Yanmar Box Blade

To get started, first make sure you’re familiar with the controls and operation of your tractor prior to using any type of attachment. Then, to ensure there’s no interference with the box blade, adjust the tractor draw bar to the shortest/highest position. However, you can also remove the tractor draw bar altogether if you prefer.

When connecting the tractor, verify that the 3-point connection is secure, properly sized pins are used, and all hardware is in place. Keep in mind, 20% of the gross weight of the tractor and equipment must be on the front wheels when the box blade is attached and in transport position. In some cases, ballast may be necessary.

Leveling the Blade

To set the side-to-side level, adjust the lift link until the desired setting is attained. You may want a slight cant if maintaining a crown on a gravel road, or a level position to scrape or backfill holes.

The top-link adjustment changes the front-to-back level. When scarifying, shortening the top link will deepen the soil penetration, while lengthening will provide better results when scraping or leveling.

Scarifying

At the most basic, scarifying is breaking up ground, making it easier to flatten. A common example would be turning over a hardened gravel driveway. To prepare for this kind of work, attach the scarifier to the appropriate height with the locking pin and safety pin safely installed. The setting will vary depending on the desired soil penetration.

When ready, lower the box blade. To provide deeper and more aggressive penetration of the ground, shorten the top length to angle the box forward.

Leveling, Backfilling, and Scraping

Remove or flip the scarifiers to level, backfill, or scrape. Leveling works best with loose material. It may be necessary to scarify the area prior to leveling. To level an area, first lower the blade to the ground and level the scraper from side to side. Once the box is leveled, raise the cutting blade by shortening the top link. The box blade should be angled slightly up, allowing the rear blade to smooth the material. Simply drive forward to level the surface you’re working on.

Backfilling is very similar to leveling, except you’ll be backing into the material and pushing it. It’s important to slowly back into the pile of material you’re using to backfill to prevent damage to your tractor, as well as the blade. Adjustment of the top link will determine how much the blade digs in.

Scraping is also performed in a similar manner to leveling. The blade’s side-to-side level may be slightly canted to provide a small grade or crown when working with surfaces like a gravel road or driveway. In some situations, material that has been worked should be compacted, and this can generally be accomplished with a few passes of the tractor tires.

Mastering the box blade takes practice, but before too long, you’ll be an expert. For more detailed information, consult your operator’s manual or check with a local Yanmar dealer.

Connect With Yanmar

At Yanmar, we want to help you get the most out of your land using equipment like tractors, attachments, and UTVs. From tutorial videos like this to a wide range of Tractor Tips articles that help you achieve the lifestyle you want, our Customer Experience Team is here to help you reach your goals. Please don’t hesitate to connect with us online or give us a call at 678-551-7369.

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